The Amazon Rainforest
Objectives Use a mind map technique to identify and give detail about developments in the Amazon Rainforest Page
Large scale development in the Amazon Started in The Brazilian Government’s Polamazonia Plan in the 1970s aimed to open up the Amazon to development. This included encouraging and funding the following large scale development projects: Slash and burn Road and rail development e.g. Trans Amazonian Highway Logging Cattle ranching Hydroelectric Power (HEP) Mining Settlement Soya bean plantations
Amazonian Indians Cut down the forest Burn the vegetation Plant crops Harvest crops Soil loses goodness Abandon clearing and move on
The Kayapo have virtually no impact on the rainforest ecosystem. It is a SUSTAINABLE way of life. Sustainable development involves activities that preserve and enhance the beauty and resources of an area for future generations.
ROADS AND SETTLEMENTS
LOGGING Valuable hardwoods include teak and mahogany
CATTLE RANCHING
MINING
HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER
Soya bean plantations
Amazon Rainforest Development Transport Over 12,000 km of new road Trans-Amazonian Highway (5,300 km) People and resources e.g. timber, minerals, farm produce can be moved Causes of deforestation (and biodiversity loss) in the Amazon Page 232 New Wider World. Add Soy bean plantations as well
What impact does road building have on the Amazon’s ecosystem? Organise these statements into the flow chart below. There is more than one correct order. there is no vegetation to intercept the rain the soil is washed away trees are cut down road is built the nutrient cycle is broken and so the soil becomes infertile it is difficult to grow crops the area become more accessible other large scale developments such as mining come to the area more trees are cut down people migrate to the area